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UNICEF, Oyo govt., train enumerators on conduct of school census.
OYO state government has collaborated with the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, (UNICEF) to put education reform in the spotlight through the training of enumerators, supervisors and coordinators on the conduct of 2016/2017 annual school census in the state.
Speaking at the training workshop held at Wesley College of Science, Elekuro, Ibadan on Tuesday, the state commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Adeniyi Olowofela noted that the occasion of a training programme like this, marking the beginning of the main business of Annual School Census is highly significant.
Olowofela added that the significance is measured in the record of events that nothing practical and meaningful could be done without data, the provision of which is met by credible exercise of Annual School Census.
According to him, “a responsible state government like the present administration ably led by Senator Abiola Ajimobi, is committed and responsive to providing quality education to her citizenry as a means of raising quality and enduring human capital resources cannot afford to do less. This is obvious considering the awesome amount of fund committed to the various stages of the exercise”.
The former council boss, Olowofela further stressed that other factor through which a successful census cannot be underestimated is the collaboration of highly placed International Development partner -UNICEF, an organization which he said would never subscribe to a nefarious project.
The commissioner, therefore recognized the supports given in-kind and cash by the state government and UNICEF towards the successful conduct of this year Annual School Census and other activities at this period of global recession.
Also, he emphasized the need for planning in the education system which is derived from the fact that the society is not static and education must respond to the changing technological, economical, political and social environment of the nation, adding that to suit the purpose there is need for timely, accurate and up to date data.
Professor Olowofela, however charged the participants “you must therefore, painstakingly visit all schools, public, private, registered and unregistered even the so called mushrooms schools to or near and hard to reach areas to collect quality data to justify the huge amount expended on the programme.
The commissioner reiterated that UNICEF and Oyo state government have played their parts in ensuring availability of robust data to guide future plans, while enjoining the enumerators, supervisors and coordinators to pay serious attention to all instructions and guides during the training programme so that knowledge gained could be put into use at their various desks.
Former Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Adeolu Akande, has extended warm felicitations to Barrister Sarafadeen Ali, the Senator representing Oyo South Senatorial district, on the occasion of his 61st birthday.
In a statement released on Saturday in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, on Saturday, Akande lauded the lawmaker, describing him as a luminary whose life has been marked by distinguished service to the nation.
“Today, I join the world in celebrating you on your special day, as you mark 61 years of God’s abundant love and glorious impact on humanity,” the former NCC gaffer expressed.
He added, “I wish you many more years of God’s grace in your life.”
The headquarters of Heritage Bank at Victoria Island, Lagos, was besieged on Thursday by members of the labour union, protesting the recent dismissal of 1,000 support workers.
The National President of the National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees, Comrade Anthony Abakpa, led the demonstration, condemning the bank’s management for what he deemed a lack of adherence to due process in the termination of employment contracts.
Speaking during the protest, Comrade Abakpa asserted that the leadership of Heritage Bank failed to follow established protocols before executing the mass layoffs.
He emphasised the union’s commitment to pursuing justice for the affected workers, vowing to escalate their demands until the bank’s management rectifies the situation.
“We will intensify our demands for justice,” declared Comrade Abakpa, urging the bank’s management to take corrective action to address the grievances of the dismissed workers.
The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, clarified that Nigeria is not utilising its foreign reserves to bolster the naira, despite recent fluctuations in reserve levels.
Speaking from Washington DC, where he is attending the International Monetary Fund-World Bank Spring Meetings, Cardoso highlighted the influx of $600 million into Nigeria’s reserves account within the past two days.
While the naira has experienced a notable appreciation against the dollar in recent weeks, climbing over 40% from approximately N1,900/$ to about N1,000/$1, Nigeria’s foreign reserves have been dwindling. As of April 15, reserves dropped to approximately $32.29 billion, marking the lowest level in over six years.
Cardoso emphasised that the shifts in reserves are typical for any country, where various financial obligations, such as debt repayments, necessitate withdrawals.
He stated, “What you’ve seen with respect to the shift in our reserves is normal in any country’s reserves where, for example, debts are due and certain payments need to be made. They are made because that is also part of keeping your credibility.”
Continuing, Cardoso underscored the dynamic nature of the market, advocating for a system driven by willing buyers, willing sellers, and price discovery.
He emphasised, “The shift in our reserves has really little or nothing to do with defending the naira, and that is certainly not our objective.”
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